Key Project Details
The "Life is Art" Youth Exchange took place from 22 to 31 July 2024 in Bagaciu, a picturesque village in Mureș County, Romania. The mobility brought together 40 young participants, 10 group leaders, and 2 facilitators from five countries: Romania, Hungary, Slovakia, Portugal, and Lithuania.
The project was coordinated by Cloud Five (Romania) in partnership with Fiatalok Egységben Egyesület (Hungary), Informal Group Trailblazers (Slovakia), VsI "uMunthu" (Lithuania), and Núcleo de Inclusão (Portugal). Each organisation played an essential role in participant preparation, local dissemination, and project implementation, ensuring that "Life is Art" reached its objectives successfully.
Objectives and Activities
The main objective of "Life is Art" was to increase the level of soft and social skills among 40 young people aged 18–25, coming from Romania, Hungary, Slovakia, Portugal, and Lithuania, through the practice of five different art forms: theater, storytelling, painting, dance, and singing. The project also sought to provide participants with a safe environment to explore and discover new hobbies while strengthening the competences of the participating organisations in running art-based youth activities.
Throughout the 10 days of the youth exchange, participants engaged in a structured program based on non-formal education methods. The first two days focused on teambuilding activities and familiarization with Erasmus+ principles. Theater workshops were held on days three and four, enhancing public speaking, improvisation, and creativity skills. Days five and six introduced dance and music sessions, where participants explored movement, rhythm, and songwriting. Storytelling workshops on day seven helped participants to structure and perform narratives, followed by painting activities on days eight and nine, where artistic storytelling and individual creative expression were combined. The final day was dedicated to evaluations and closing activities. A highlight of the program included a visit to Sighisoara, where participants created a public flashmob to share the joy of art with the local community.
Why the Project Was Implemented
"Life is Art" was developed in response to the growing need among young people to enhance their creativity, confidence, and interpersonal skills through artistic expression. Based on research and surveys carried out within the Cloud Five community and its international network, it became evident that many young people were looking for opportunities to explore art as a tool for personal development.
The project was also aligned with the European Year of Skills 2024, aiming to highlight the importance of nurturing creativity and soft skills among young Europeans. By providing a supportive and inclusive space, "Life is Art" aimed to show how regular engagement with art can improve wellbeing, stimulate imagination, and contribute to better social integration and career prospects. It was also an opportunity to continue building a strong European community where cultural diversity and individual talents are celebrated.
Results and Impact
"Life is Art" had a significant impact both during and after the mobility. Participants reported a noticeable increase in creativity, teamwork abilities, communication skills, and self-confidence. According to evaluations carried out four months after the project, 65% of participants confirmed an improvement in their soft skills, and 57% had started a new artistic hobby as a direct result of the experience. Many also stated that they had a higher overall satisfaction with life and had engaged in further Erasmus+ opportunities.
The project produced several tangible results as well. Participants collaborated to create a promotional video, a project song, and a gallery of paintings, including personalized project T-shirts. Dissemination events were organised in each partner country, sharing the project's message with hundreds of young people across Europe.
Furthermore, the success of "Life is Art" inspired the creation of a follow-up project — "Life in Art" — focusing on digital art forms, thus ensuring the long-term sustainability and evolution of the original initiative.
